As the summer heat continues to rise, so too does the fishing action in many areas across the Natural State. Tournament reports continue to show optimism and excellent fishing in many parts of the state.

Summer fishing can be both fun and a bit frustrating as the fish are less active at some times of the day and much more active at other times. Just because you had a great day in a particular area yesterday, does not mean you will have success in the same area tomorrow.

The trick is to figure out a pattern or feeding times, and be there ready for action. Summer heat activates schooling fish in some lakes, and when others are going home for the day the best action is just getting started.

The hardest part is finding a school of fish who are actively feeding. Once you have this accomplished, the action can be nonstop, at least for a while.

Summer schooling fish include Largemouth Bass, Kentucky Bass, Whites, stripers, and Hybrids depending on which body of water you are fishing.

Although visible schooling fish are not as common locally, we do have access to one of the most diverse fishing areas in the entire country.

Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River are good year-round and when conditions are right, but there are a few hot spots that produce better than others.

Shoal Bay Recreation Area has always been one of my favorites. It has a big shallow bay with all kinds of structure leading into two major creek arms, along with several small creeks or ditches that run into it as well.

These types of areas are tremendous for fishing as schools of fish chase shad into the backs of the creeks and coves, but it is the deep water adjacent to these areas that can produce some great catches during the hot summer months.

Shoal Bay gives you the option of catching bass, white bass and is also a crappie fishing favorite of many area anglers.

Another productive area with similar features is the Piney Bay Recreation Area. Piney Bay has major creeks as well as smaller tributaries, and a world of structure such as stumps, lily pads and water willows. Both of these areas have an abundance of man-made brush piles.

Lake Nimrod received a nice rain last week, but is starting to reach summer levels. The last two years the big thing on Nimrod has been bass and crappie fishing, but this summer the bream fishing is absolutely incredible.

One of my personal summer favorites is Brewer Lake just north and east of Morrilton. Several area anglers have spent a lot of time on Brewer last summer, but so far this year the reports are the fishing is a bit slow.

Schooling fish and a great top-water bite are the main attractions as well as a good crappie population as well.

Two of the states bigger and better lakes, which are both summer favorites for recreation and fishing, are Lake Ouachita and Greers Ferry Lake. Both are big clear water lakes with plenty of room for fishermen and pleasure boaters.

These two lakes can produce non-stop schooling action during any hour of the day, but it will require a little extra time to find active schools due to the enormous size of these lakes.